Article by: Botho Sifumba
Most of the time in history, we have spent our academic years revising civilization’s most prominent figures, most of which are men. Which seldom are women and heroines that we don’t take time to view their story ,through their lenses.
At the thread and needle sown unwonted into the touches of evolution and revolution; By defying “conventional” norms, sown into a destructive normality. Into an ever-changing society that we live in today. Like those that came across this article to gain some inspiration into becoming one of these figures, and acknowledge these figures in modern history, as the women we should no longer seldom hear and learn about.
To the reflection of the synonymous image that of these women may reflect onto you. The matriarchs of abounding change in civilization. In 2017, Andrea Jenkins was the first openly transgender woman, of colour to be a political figure that was elected for public office in the United States. Serving on the Minneapolis City Council. Inspired by Harriet Tubman, she tries to use that inspiration in most aspects of her career. By campaigning for what she has envisioned for Minnesota; reduction in police violence, increase in homeownership, by making homes more affordable and by addressing the issues of climate change.
Although she is known as a politician. She is also a writer, poet and a transgender activists. Which she was a led oral historian for the Transgender Oral history project in the University of Minnesota. Andrea Jenkins and Wangari Maathai are leading modern heriones. Vocalizing matters concerning a spectrum of social, systematic and environmental injustice. Coming to grips with the matters of inhumane concepts, and conditions of regulations; hindering the purpose of human rights, and the importance of preserving the environment.
An environmentally conscious woman of colour ,Wangari Maathai. Known as a Kenyan Ecologist and political activist, predominantly known as the first African woman to get awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She stood up and stood against the bristle grips of a former oppressive regime in Kenya. In which she advocated for democratic rights, predominantly women’s rights. She also took a constructive approach to combat environmental injustice . She founded the Green Belt movement, combating desertification in Africa, by campaigning the biggest tree-planting campaign. She has galvanized poor women to plant 30 million trees. An approach that has been espoused by and in other parts of the world.
Acknowledging these women on a global scale has put into focus women becoming ‘firsts’ to pioneering milestones. Globalization and political streams have been known to be patriarchal. With Wangari Maathai redefining the roles of women in globalization, bringing global and local awareness to her approach to tackle deforestation. Andrea Jenkins being more inclusive with transgenders in the framework of history. Navanethem Pillay is also one of these heriones . As she dedicated her life to political activism and law, for a movement and something that was more substantial than her as an individual.
Navanethem Pillay, was the first woman to have established her own law practice in 1967 ,in what is presently KwaZulu-Natal. She used this alternative after she was refused employment from other law firms, that operated under a racist and an exclusive organization culture, induced by the Apartheid regime. She provided legal services to and advocated for political activists, that were antiapartheid activists.